Dispensing device for collapsible tubes



April 10, 1.951 A, QADALZQ 2,548,587

DISFENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Fil'ed Jan. 6, 1949 FIG.I

1N VEN TOR.

6 ALVARO cADALzo :o l2 5o '0 "l2 BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 10, 1951 DISPENSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES AlvaroCadalzo, New York, N. Y., assignor of onehalf to M. Nathenson, JerseyCity, N. J.

Application January 6, 1949, Serial No. 69,495

11 Claims. (C1. 222-102) tents from a collapsible tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for supportingand dispensing the contents of collapsible tubes of different diametersand/or lengths.

The invention has for a still further object the provision of a combinedadjustable, supporting and dispensing device forcollapsible tubes thatis simple, compact and sturdy in construction, that is reasonable ininitial and maintenance costs, that may be readily assembled, adjustedand dismantled, and that iseflicient and troublefree in operation.

The foregoing objects, as well as other objects, together with theadvantages, construction and operation of the dispensing device of thisinvention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, whichrespectively describe and illustrate a preferred arrangement of elements`embodying the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a device constructed inaccordance with the invention and having a partially depletedcollapsible tube mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line3 3 of Figure 2, with the screw cap of the collapsible tube omitted;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the device of this invention asobserved from the right of Figure l, the collapsible tube being omitted;and

Figure 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals denotecorresponding parts throughout the Vseveral views, the device of thisinvention include a base Iii, the bottom surface of which (not shown) ispreferably knurl-lin'- ished so as to minimize 'the possibility ofslippage when the device is held in the palm of a hand. The base isprovided with a pair of longitudinal parallel grooves I2. One suchgroove, as best shown in Figures 1 and 5, is formed in each side of thebase. Secured to the rear end of the base, preferably by welding, is anupstanding bracket I4 having a through vertical drill hole I6 in aforward extension I8 (Figure 3). A member 2U made of suitable springsteel is secured to the top of bracket I4 by screws 22.

Integral with member is a stationary upper jaw 24 that overhangs bracketextension I8 and that constitutes an element of a clamping mechanism orvise which will now be described. The clamping mechanism also includes aplunger 26 reciprocable in drill hole I6 and normally urged upwardly bya helical compression spring 28 that is located within the drill holeand bears against the upper surface of the base and the under sur- 2()face of the plunger. A lower jaw 30 has an opening 32 (Figure 2) whichreceives the upper end of reduced diameter of plunger 26 whereby thelower jaw is press-fitted to the plunger. The lower jaw is provided withextensions or wings 33 (Figure 2) that project laterally beyond upperjaw 24 to facilitate downward movement of the lower jaw and plungeragainst the action of compression spring 28. y

As is best shown in Figures 1 and 3, upper jaw 24 is generally concaveupwardly, while lower jaw 3D is generally concave downwardly. Further,both jaws are of suiiicient width to accommodate and clamp therebetweenthe clipped or vfolded closed end 34 of a collapsible tube 36.

The illustrated tube is partiallydepleted of its contents and includesthe usual threaded disch-arge neck 38 (Figure 3). The tube neck isadapted to project through and beyond a central opening 40 in a dishedsupport member42. A conventional tube cap 44 threadedly engages the tubeneck to protect the contents of the tube against evaporation orcontamination bythe air when the contents are not being discharged-fromthe tube. Support 42 has an integral depending plate 46 formed with arearwardly projecting flange 48 (Figure 3), that bears against the uppersurface of base IIJ,y and a pair of parallel spacedapart inwardlyprojecting tongues 50 that register With grooves I2 in the base topermit sliding movement of the support along the base. Support 42 isillustrated as being at the forward end of the base. It will be apparentthat the support may be moved along the base to any desired location andlocked in such location by a knurled Set screw 52v (Figures 2 and 4).

kmounted in support 42. `positioned intermediate the clamping mecha- Aroller carrier, generally denoted by numeral 54, is movableklongitudinally of the tube in the direction of its discharge end tocompress the tube and elect emission of the contents of the tube throughneck 38. The carrier comprises a lower roller support frame 56 having apair of parallel side walls 58 and a bottom wall 66, which is notched asindicated at 62 (Figure 2) for the reception of extension I8 of bracketI4 upon predetermined movement of the carrier toward the left as viewedin Figures 1-3. Depending from bottom wall 60 is a pair of spaced-apart,parallel, inwardly projecting tongues 64, each of which registers with acorresponding groove I2 in the base. A lower cylindrical roller 66 isprovided with coaxial press-fitted trunnions 68 that are rotatablysupported by side walls 58.

The carrier also includes an upper roller support frame or bracket 1Uhaving a top wall 72, terminating in a forwardly and upwardly projectinglip 14, and depending side Walls 16. Bracket 'I0 is pivotal with respectto lower roller support frame 56 through the medium of coaxial pins 18.An upper roller 8U having press-fitted trunnions 82 is positionedbetween side walls 16 and freely rotatable with respect to the bracket.It will be noted from an examination of the drawing that upper roller 80is positioned above lower roller 66 and is rotatable about an axisparallel to the axis of rotation of the lower roller. A fiat stockspring 84 is press-fitted in an opening provided in wall 12 and bearsagainst the rear of support frame 56 in a manner t0 normally urgebracket in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, tothereby move upper roller 8D away from lower roller 66.

For the purpose of outlining the operation of the illustrated embodimentof the invention, it is rst assumed that the parts are in the relativeposition shown in the drawing and that the ldevice is being held in thepalm of the left hand of a user. At such times, the clipped or foldedend 34 of collapsible tube 36 is clamped between jaws 24 and 30 of theclamping mechanism, while the discharge end of the tube is Rollercarrier 54 is nism and forward support 42, the rearward por- 66 and 80positioned respectively below and above the flattened portion of thetube.

When it is desired to withdraw a supply of paste material from the tube,the operator removes tube cap 44 and then grasps lip 'I4 of bracket 'l0with the lingers of his right hand. He next exerts a combined downwardand forward thrust on bracket 10 against the action oi spring 84,causing upper roller 80 to move downwardly toward lower roller 66 andsimultaneously moving roller carrier 54 forwardly or to the right asviewed in Figure i. This lattens an additional portion of the tube andeffects emission of a quantity of the contents of the tube throughthread discharge neck 38.

It will be apparent that the device of this invention is adapted toreadily and effectively ect substantially all of the contents from tubeAfter the tube has become depleted, it may be readily and quicklyremoved and replaced with a full tube. The depleted tube may be removedfrom the device by nrst detaching its discharge end from support 42, andnext pressing downwardly on extensions 33 of lower jaw 30 to disengagethe closed end of the tube from the clamping mechanism. The tube may bethen withdrawn from between rollers 66 and 8U, Roller carrier 54 ismoved rearwardly or toward the left as viewed in Figure 1 untilextension i8 of bracket I4 registers with opening 62 in the supportframe bottom wall 60. Side walls 58 are spaced apart a sufficientdistance to permit entry of the clamping jaws therebetween when theroller carrier is moved to its rearwardmost position. A full tube maythen be mounted in the device and the foregoing procedural stepsrepeated.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation, andadvantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended bypersons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however,that various changes in the apparatus Set forth above may be madeWithout departing from the scope of the invention, it being intendedthat all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawingshall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a device for supporting a collapsible tube and dispensing thecontents thereof, a base, a clamping mechanism carried by the rearportion of the base and adapted to engage the closed end of the tube,said mechanism comprising an upper jaw overhanging the base, a lower jawintermediate the upper jaw and the base, one of the jaws beingstationary and the other being movable relative thereto, and resilientmeans for normally urging the movable jaw toward the stationary jaw, amember mounted on the base forward of the clamping mechanism and adaptedto removably support the discharge end of the tube, said memberincluding a pair of spacedapart parallel tongues adapted to registerwith and slide along corresponding grooves formed iii the base, andmeans slidable along the base and movable longitudinally of the tube inthe direc tion of its discharge end for compressing the tube to effectemission of the contents ofthe tube through the discharge end.V

2. In a device for Supporting a collapsible tube and dispensing thecontents thereof, a base, a clamping mechanism carried by the rearportion of the base and adapted to engage the closed end of the tube,said mechanism comprising an upper jaw overhanging the base, a lower jawintermediate the upper jaw and the base, one of the jaws beingstationary and the other being movable relative thereto, and resilientmeans for normally urging the movable jaw toward the stationary jaw, amember mounted on the base forward of the clamping mechanism and adaptedto removably support the discharge end of the tube, and means slidablealong the base and movable longitudinally of the tube in the directionof its discharge end for compressing the tube to effect emission of thecontents ofthe tube through the discharge end, said slidable meansincluding a pair of spaced-apart parallel tongues that register withgrooves formed in the base.

3. In a device for supporting a collapsible tub and dispensing thecontents thereof, a base,l a clamping mechanism carried by the rearportion of the base and adapted to engage the closed end of the tube,said mechanism comprising an upper jaw overhanging the base, a lower jawintermediate the upper jaw and the base, one of 'lig the jaws beingstationary and the other being movable relative thereto, and resilientmeans for normallyurging the movable jaw toward the stationary jaw, amember mounted von the base 'forward of the clamping mechanism andadapted to removably support the discharge end of the tube, and meansslidable along the base andmovable longitudinally of the tube in thedirection of its discharge end for compressing the tube to effectemission of the contents of the tube through the discharge end, saidmember and Aslidable `means each including a pair of spaced-apartinwardly projecting tongues that register with and are movable along apath dened by a pair of tongues formed in the sides of the base.

4. In a device for supporting a collapsible tube and 'dispensing thecontents thereof, a base, a Yclamping mechanism carriedbythe rearportion of the base and adapted to engage the closed end of the tube,said mechanism comprising a stationary upper jaw overhanging the base, asubstantially vertically reciprocable plunger positioned between theupper jaw `and the base, a lower jaw secured to the upper end of theplunger, a spring for normally urging the plunger and the lower jawtoward the upper jaw, a member mounted on the base forward of theclamping mechanism and adapted to removably support the discharge end ofthe tube, and means slidable along the base and movable longitudinallyof the tube in the direction of its discharge end for compressing thetube to effect emission of the contents of the tube through thedischarge end.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein the member and theslidable means each includes a pair of spaced-apart inwardly projectingparallel tongues that register with and are movable along a path definedby 1a pair of grooves formed in the sides of the base.

6. In a device for supporting a collapsible tube and dispensing thecontents thereof, a base, a clamping mechanism carried by the rearportion of the base land adapted to engage the closed end of the tube,said mechanism comprising an upper jaw overhanging the base, a lower jawintermediate the upper jaw and the base, one of the jaws beingstationary :and the other being movable relative thereto, and resilientmeans for normally urging the movable jaw toward the stationary jaw, amember mounted on the base forward of the clamping mechanism and adaptedto removably support the discharge end of the tube, and a roller carriermovable longitudinally of the tube in the direction of its discharge endfor compressing the tube to effect emission of the contents of the tubethrough the discharge end, said carrier comprising a support frameslidable along the base, a lower roller mounted in the support frame andfreely rotatable Iwith respect thereto, a bracket pivotally connected tothe support frame, an upper roller carried by the bracket Iand freelyrotatable about an `axis that is above and substantially parallel to theaxis of the lower roller, and a spring for normally urging the bracketin one direction about its pivotal connection with the support frame.

'7. In a device for supporting a collapsible tube and dispensing thecontents thereof, a base, a clamping mechanism carried by the rearportion of the base and adapted to engage the closed end of the tube,said mechanism comprising Ian upper law overhanging the base, a lowerjaw intermediate the upper jaw and the base, one of the jaws beingstationary and the other being movable relative thereto, and resilientmeans for normally above the base, a pair of spaced-apart side walls,

a vpair of spaced, inwardly projecting parallel tongues depending fromthe bottom wall and registering with corresponding grooves formed in thesides of 'the'base, and a lower rollermounted between the side walls andfreely rotatable with respect to the support frame, a bracket pivotallyconnected to the support frame, an upper roller carried by the bracketand freely rotatable about an axis that is above and parallel to theaxis of the lower roller, and a spring for normally urging the bracketin one direction about its pivotal connection `with the support frame.

8. A device in accordance with claim '7 wherein the member includes apair of spaced-apart tongues adapted to register with and slide alongthe grooves in the base, and the spring normally urges the bracket in adirection about its pivotal connection with the support frame to movethe upper roller away from the lower roller.

9. In a device for supporting a collapsible tube and dispensing thecontents thereof, a base, a clamping mechanism carried by the rearportion of the base and adapted to engage the closed end of the tube,said mechanism comprising a stationary upper jaw overhanging the base, asubstantially vertically reciprocable plunger positioned between theupper jaw and the base, a lower jaw secured to the upper end of theplunger, a spring for normally urging the plunger and the lower jawtoward the upper jaw, a member mounted on the base forward of theclamping mechanism and adapted to removably support the discharge end ofthe tube, and a roller carrier movable longitudinally of the tube in thedirection of its discharge and for compressing the tube to effectemission of the contents of the tube through the discharge end, saidcarrier comprising a support frame slidable along the base, a lowerroller mounted in the support frame and freely rotatable with respectthereto, a bracket pivotally connected to the support frame, an upperroller carried by the bracket and freely rotatable about an axis that isabove and substantially parallel to the axis of the lower roller, and aspring for normally urging the bracket in one direction about itspivotal connection with the support frame.

10. In a device for supporting a collapsible tube and dispensing thecontents thereof, a base, a clamping mechanism carried by the rearportion of the base and adapted to engage the'closed end of the tube,said mechanism comprising a stationary upper jaw overhanging the base, asubstantially vertically reciprocable plunger positioned between theupper jaw and the base, a lower jaw secured to the upper end of theplunger, a spring for normally urging the plunger and the lower jawtoward the upper jaw, a mem-ber mounted on the base forward of theclamping mechanism and adapted to removably support the discharge end ofthe tube, and a roller'carrier movable longitudinally of the tube in thedi-v rection of its discharge end for compressing the tube to effectemission of the contents of the tube through the discharge end, saidcarrier comprising a support frame slidable along the base and includinga bottom wall disposed above the base, a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, a pair of spaced, inwardly projecting parallel tongues dependingfrom the bottom wall and registering with corresponding grooves forrnedin the sides of the base, and a lower roller mounted between the sidewalls and freely rotatable with respect to the support frame, a bracketpvotally connected to the support frame, an upper roller carried by thebracket and freely rotatable about an axis that is above and parallel tothe axis of the lower roller, and a spring for normally urging thebracket in one direction about its pivotal connection with the supportframe.

11. A device in accordance with claim 10 Wherein the member includes apair of spaced-apart tongues adapted to register with and slide alongthe grooves in the base, and the last mentioned spring normally urgesthe bracket in a direction about its pivotal connection with the supportframe to move the upper roller away from the lower roller.

ALVARO CADALZO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

